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Capital Corner: Local Government Funding in the 2009 Omnibus Bill
The 2009 Omnibus Bill contains additional funding—beyond the Recovery Act—for local governments to implement energy efficiency and climate action programs
By Pam Lesser, ICLEI National Policy Analyst
March 17, 2009
For the past five months, many of the domestic agencies that comprise the federal government, and nearly all the energy and environment programs, have remained unfunded. Thankfully, the waiting game has come to an end. On March 10, the Senate approved H.R. 1105 – FY 2009 Omnibus Appropriations Act, allowing the government to operate until the end of its fiscal year, September 30, 2009. It should be noted that the $410 billion Omnibus Bill is comprised of funding in addition to the American Reinvestment and Recovery Act, passed on February 13. Many of these Omnibus funds can be accessed by local governments.
The Omnibus Bill includes $1.93 billion for the Department of Energy’s renewable energy and efficiency programs, an increase of more than $200 million above the current level. The EPA’s climate change and clean air programs also benefit, receiving a total of $232 million, which is $39 million above fiscal 2008.
The following table summarizes the 2009 Energy and Environment Appropriations in the Omnibus Bill that are likely to be of particular interest to local governments.
DOE Funding for Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy |
|
|
Solar energy |
$175 million for research, development and demonstration projects to make solar energy more affordable |
|
Biofuels |
$217 million for grants to improve production of alternative fuels such as cellulosic ethanol and biodiesel |
|
Vehicle technology |
$273 million to work in conjunction with industry to improve fuel efficiency with better batteries and engines that burn clean fuel |
|
Energy efficient buildings |
$140 million to research conservation technologies for buildings to reduce energy demand |
|
Industrial technologies |
$90 million to help businesses improve energy efficiency |
|
Water power |
$40 million to research new ways of generating power from flowing water |
|
Weatherization grants |
$200 million for insulation and energy conservation measures to reduce utility bills for low-income families |
|
Innovative technology loan guarantees |
Extends loan guarantee authority for Innovative Technology, and includes $18.5 billion in loans for energy efficiency and renewable energy technologies. |
EPA Funding |
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Climate action |
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*Please note that the inclusion of this program is the result of a long-term effort by Climate Communities and ICLEI USA. More specific information on the program will be provided at the Local Climate Leadership Summit in Washington, D.C. on May 18-20.
